Forest Heath councillors take final chance to ask questions on controversial Hatchfield Farm development in Newmarket before decision

Councillors took their chance to ask final questions on the Hatchfield Farm development last night ahead of a decision being made in two weeks time.

A public consultation, which was originally to be held behind closed doors before it was opened to the public in the last week, was held at the Forest Heath District Council (FHDC) offices in Mildenhall on Tuesday evening to allow councillors to hear from the developers for a final time.

Bob Sellwood, planning consultant for Lord Derby and Hatchfield Farm, and Rebekah Paczek, who carried out the public consultation, addressed the councillors and spoke of the benefits the development would bring to the area.

Councillors heard that feedback from public consultations was “quite balanced” in terms of those in favour and those opposed, and developers had decided to go for their smallest scale of 400 homes plus employment.

Thirty per cent of the homes built are set to be affordable housing, with the 400 houses set to be built over eight years.

It was also announced that a new school would be provided, as Suffolk County Council had said an extension on an existing school “wasn’t feasible”, and a new school would be built “probably in the next five years”.

The main concerns raised by councillors were regarding traffic.

While Mr Sellwood told them the junction between the A14 and A142 would have traffic lights to avoid motorists queuing, councillors requested the system is tested.

Cllr Simon Cole said: “We could just set it up now for a couple of days to see if it works, rather than rely on a computer model to hope it would work.”

Cllr Robin Millar added: “In Newmarket, the Highways Agency has got traffic wrong in the past, for example with Waitrose.

“I asked them specifically where their customers came from and they didn’t know.”

The original development, which was turned down by FHDC in June 2010, was for 1,200 homes on the 49 acre site in Fordham Road. In 2011, Lord Derby appealed his application refusal, but this was dismissed in March 2012 on recommendation of the planning inspector.

A spokesperson for Lord Derby said: “We were pleased with the attendance at the members briefing and the level of interest in the proposals.

“We are happy to have agreed some significant issues in recent weeks including the contribution of £1.78m to build a new school which is likely to be on land at Hatchfield Farm.

“We have made an effort to speak to a wide range of people from across Newmarket, including 18-35 year olds who are frequently not involved in planning processes. By adding just 5% to the existing houses in Newmarket and building these homes sustainably over an 8 year period, we believe that the plans will bring much needed homes, alongside economic benefits whilst safeguarding the horse racing industry.”

The final decision on Hatchfield Farm will be made on Wednesday, July 2.